HOUSTON, Texas — Texas Southern jumped out early but was unable to sustain momentum, dropping a three-game SWAC series to Alabama State over the weekend at MacGregor Park.

The Tigers held leads in multiple contests but were unable to overcome late-inning surges from the Hornets, falling in all three matchups.

Game 1: Texas Southern 3, Alabama State 8

Texas Southern struck first in Saturday's opener, plating three runs in the fourth inning behind key hits from Evan Joubert and Miguel Morales to take an early 3-0 advantage.

Joubert delivered an RBI single before Morales followed with a two-RBI double to give the Tigers control.

However, Alabama State responded quickly with a three-run fifth inning to tie the game and seized the lead for good with a solo home run in the seventh. The Hornets added four insurance runs across the final two frames to secure the win.

Morales led TSU with two hits and two RBIs, while Joubert added an RBI. The Tigers were limited to seven hits and struck out 12 times.

Game 2: Texas Southern 4, Alabama State 6

In Sunday's first game, Texas Southern battled throughout but could not close the gap late in a 6-4 loss.

The Hornets opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the third inning, but the Tigers answered immediately when Christopher Chavez drove in a run to cut the deficit in half.

TSU continued to respond, including a solo home run from Elijah Rodriguez in the fourth and a sacrifice fly by Joubert in the sixth to keep the game within reach.

Alabama State extended its lead in the eighth and added an insurance run in the ninth. Texas Southern made a late push in the final inning when Anthony Ruiz delivered an RBI single, but the rally fell short. 

Rodriguez finished with two hits and an RBI, while Chavez and Ruiz each drove in runs.

Game 3: Texas Southern 2, Alabama State 7

In the series finale, Texas Southern once again showed early promise but was unable to capitalize in key moments, falling 7-2.

The Tigers took a 2-1 lead in the first inning after Anthony Ruiz reached on a fielder's choice that resulted in two runs scoring following an Alabama State error. 

The advantage was short-lived, as Alabama State regained control with a two-run third inning before extending its lead with a solo home run in the fourth. The Hornets added insurance runs late, including multiple home runs in the eighth inning to put the game away.

Texas Southern recorded nine hits but left 13 runners on base, struggling to convert offensive opportunities throughout the contest.